Homeschooling Meeting

Jamaica has seen an increase in the number of persons who are homeschooling their children. I guess the Ministry of Education has been taking note of such trend and has decided to converse with us. On May 22nd the first Home-school meeting was held at the Ministry of Education. Luckily for me I am homeschooling at a time when information is right at my finger tips.

I must say that it went well and I was able to meet- for the first time almost twenty other persons who have taken on the task of educating their own child/children. In a third world country such as mine, HS is considered as something that the more affluent people do. Of course when the former Prime Minister Andrew Holness decided to homeschool his children ( obviously not by himself) this mindset was further perpetuated.

The persons I met were not very wealthy people, I am certainly not in the top 10 wealthy families in Jamaica, but we all had something in common. As parents, we all believe that learning does not have to take place in an overcrowded classroom in a system that limits or shall I say, under-utilize the cognitive abilities of our children. 

Children should have the freedom to learn, not told what to learn and at what age to learn it. I can see where the ministry did make an effort to accommodate us. We even got charts- age appropriate - for our children. This in itself was a laughable matter. " So are you telling me that I am unable to get a time tables chart, just because he is 5  years old and according to the ministry they should be adding with their fingers at that age." I eventually got the charts, that  were appropriate for the level he is at and not the age he is at. Sigh!


Have a High Flyer day!!!

High Flyer Tutoring Service

High Flyer Tutoring Service

IT no Mek Sense

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121127/sports/sports2.html

"It no make sense, I can't come here and every day I come I have to play 'aginst 13 and 12, and the referees are most times the best players. That's robbery!".

These are the word of Jamaica College Manning Cup team coach. In his eyes the referees are "idiots and "nincompoops" but as an adult who gets overzealous about everything and in the end is dragged before a disciplinary committee, hmm! I wonder who is proving to be? Just a question.

There are protocols to follow. These coaches need to lead by example. No wonder we have these young football players arguing with the referees and throwing tantrums like toddlers.

Old Boys include New Girls!

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121006/ent/ent1.htmlWell the "boys " are finally allowing the women to partake in their festivities. Kingston College is an all boys Secondary Institution in Jamaica. One of the most sought after schools. I myself is a self proclaimed "Fortis". I find myself repeating their school's motto "FORTIS CADERE CEDERE NON POTEST. (The Brave May Fall But Never Yield)", to the point where I could hardly recall my own.

Well I must say that motto is quite applicable to almost any and everyone.

When I look at the support for KC, girls and women make up a large proportion. Why then did it take so long for them to include us? While I am happy, this action of inclusion should have come waaaaaaaaaaaay sooner.

HIGH FLYER/ HIGH ACHIEVER

http://www.fahan.tas.edu.au/high-achievers?gclid=CNj75crj2rICFQSxnQod_k8A1g

Three things that I pulled from this article that remind me of High Flyer Tutoring Service (HFT).

1. The positive impact a small class size has on learning. That is why we stress one-on-one or small group tutorial. The Jamaican classrooms are woefully overcrowded. "Statistics contained in the 2011 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed that the country's pupil-teacher ratio was 27.7 to 1."
I really do not think this is correct I see so many 30 odd, 40 odd and even as much as 50 odd students in one class.

2. No pre-selection is done. Come as you are; we will help you grow and achieve your greatest potentials. Unlike the 50 most sought after schools in Jamaica, that obtain pre-selected pupils, this school does not. Therefore, you have young ladies of various academic levels. Once you have the right learning environment any child as long as he or she is willing ,can flourish.

3. HIGH FLYER definition HIGH ACHIEVER

Unemployed Teachers

I am tired of hearing about the myriad of teachers who can't find jobs. The modus operandi ofteachers must change to fit the global economy.  The government need about 50 more schools inorder to employ more teachers and assist with the overcrowding in schools.They do not have the money to build these schools. Therefore we have to look around and create opportunites. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120224/letters/letters3.html

"Grow where you are Planted"

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120620/lead/lead1.htmlThat statement is really based on many factors. Minister Thwaites expects that students who are placed in schools that are lacking in the basic necessities must beat the odds and score grade ones and twos like their peers in the traditional high school. Any farmer knows that inorder for a plant to grow and do well it needs the right conditions,likewise the students.